Adjustable bathtub chair

ABSTRACT

A bathtub assembly may include a bathtub, a handrail, a draining hole and an adjustable bathtub chair. In one embodiment, the bathtub can be a regular bathtub, and in another embodiment, the bathtub can be a walk-in bathtub that is more easily for the user to enter and exit. In an exemplary embodiment, the seat can gradually slide along the base and the user can stop the movement of the seat according to his/her preferences. The user can further turn the bathtub chair into a recliner to significantly enhance the comfort level during bathing. The user can also have a deeper soaking in the bathtub when the bathtub chair becomes a recliner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/765,601, filed on Feb. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for bathing, and more particularly to an adjustable bath chair in the bathtub that can turn into a recliner to increase the enjoyment during bathing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many mobility-impaired persons, such as the disabled or elderly, cannot take a shower in a traditional bathtub because they cannot stand for the substantial period of time. Soaking in a bathtub, however, is a positive solution because it provides mobility-impaired people with a relaxation and comfort that is physically and mentally therapeutic, without having to stand for a long period of time. For decades, the bathroom has continued to present itself as the most likely room within a home where a person will be injured. Part of the danger associated with the bathroom environment is the presence of the bathtub that poses a serious threat of slipping going in and out of the bathtub. Therefore, it is no surprise that a wide variety of bathing chairs is currently available on the commercial market and an even larger number of these types of devices are known in the art of bathing chairs.

Generally, three sides of the bathtub abut adjoining walls and the third side provides the entrance and exit of the bather. A traditional bathtub chair is generally a fixed seat in the bathtub, which has limited utility beyond providing the seating function making such devices relatively less versatile. U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,297 to Sutor discloses a bathtub shower adjustable seat including a seat and a support frame, as shown in FIG. 1. More particularly, the support frame includes at least one member with a length that is adjustable. A side portion is coupled to a first end of the member for resting upon a side edge of a bathtub. A coupling mechanism is connected to a second end of the member and is adapted to maintain the second end of the member at an elevation equal to that of the first end thereof. In use, the lower portion of the seat is coupled to a central extent of the member and the support frame resides entirely in a spaced and elevated orientation with respect to a bottom of the bathtub. Even though the bathtub chair in Sutor is considered adjustable, it is not actually inside the bathtub, so the utility of the bathtub chair is limited when the user is taking shower. Furthermore, the chair itself is not adjustable according to the user's preferences.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,420 to Hyden et al. discloses a bathing chair and method of using the bathing chair for positioning within a bathtub as illustrated in FIG. 2. More particularly, the bathing chair has a generally U-shaped framework design having a pair of U-shaped frame members in which each frame member has an upside down J-shaped configuration at the proximate end and an upside down L-shaped configuration at the distal end would be desirable because the J-shaped and the L-shaped ends could aid in stabilizing the bathing chair to provide a bather a safe and convenient means of entering and exiting from a bathtub environment. However, even though the bathing chair disclosed by Hyden is considered safe, the bathing chair is not actually positioned inside the bathtub and not adjustable to enhance the comfort level for the user sitting thereon.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,992,234 to Bates et al. discloses a seat assembly for sliding along opposing rims of a bathtub. More specifically, the seat assembly includes a seat member, a friction element affixed to the seat member so as to extend under the seat member, and a flexible slider affixed to the seat member so as to also extend under the seat member. However, like Sutor and Hyden, the seat assembly disclosed by Bates is positioned on the bathtub, and the seat itself is not actually adjustable to provide the user deeper soaking and comfortable seat position. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved bathtub chair that is adjustable, so the user can have more enjoyment in the bathtub during bathing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable bathtub chair, so that the user can have more enjoyment in the bathtub during bathing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable bathtub chair positioned in the bathtub and can be used as a recliner to have deeper soaking in the bathtub.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable bathtub chair positioned in a walk-in bathtub, so the user can easily enter and get out from the bathtub.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable bathtub chair in a walk-in bathtub, where the bathtub chair can be adjusted through electrical or mechanical means.

In one aspect, a bathtub assembly may include a bathtub, a handrail, a draining hole and an adjustable bathtub chair. In one embodiment, the bathtub can be a regular bathtub, and in another embodiment, the bathtub can be a walk-in bathtub that is more easily for the user to enter and exit.

The adjustable bathtub chair may include a seatback, a seat and a base. In one embodiment, the seatback is disposed on one side of the bathtub and the seat is positioned on top of the base to form a regular bathtub chair inside the bathtub. In an exemplary embodiment, the seat can gradually slide along the base and the user can stop the movement of the seat according to his/her preferences. The user can further turn the bathtub chair into a recliner to significantly enhance the comfort level during bathing. The user can also have a deeper soaking in the bathtub when the bathtub chair becomes a recliner. In another embodiment, the bathtub chair can be adjusted through electrical means and in other embodiments, it can be adjusted through mechanical means.

In one embodiment, the bathtub assembly may include a control module comprising a handle, a plurality of grooves, a connecting unit and a shaft. One end of the handle and the connecting unit is connected to the shaft, and the shaft can be buried in the base, and the connecting unit is disposed between the grooves.

In a further embodiment, the seat has a plurality of connecting rails, a connecting hole and a plurality of restricting bars disposed at the opening of the connecting hole. In one embodiment, the groove has an opening and an elongated receiving space. The receiving space is configured to receive an elongated protruding portion of the connecting rail.

When assembling the bathtub chair, the connector is configured to insert into the connecting hole. In a further embodiment, the connector is ball-shaped and made by elastic materials, and when the connector is inserted into the connecting hole between two restricting bars, the connector can be restricted in the connecting hole to secure the seat on top of the base. Meanwhile, the connecting rails are engaged with the grooves when the protruding portion is received in the receiving space to further secure the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art disclosing a bath tub shower adjustable seat including a seat and a support frame.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art disclosing a bathing chair and method of using the bathing chair for positionment within a bathtub.

FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art disclosing a seat assembly for sliding along opposing rims of a bathtub.

FIG. 4 illustrates an adjustable bathtub chair in the present invention.

FIG. 4 a illustrates one embodiment of the adjustable bathtub chair in the present invention.

FIGS. 5, 5 a to 5 c illustrate another embodiment of the adjustable bathtub chair in the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 6 a illustrate a further embodiment of the adjustable bathtub chair in the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates still a further embodiment of the adjustable bathtub chair in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.

All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4 a, a bathtub assembly 400 may include a bathtub 410, a handrail 420, a draining hole 430 and an adjustable bathtub chair 440. In one embodiment, the bathtub 410 can be a regular bathtub, and in another embodiment, the bathtub 410 can be a walk-in bathtub which is more easily for the user to enter and exit.

The adjustable bathtub chair 440 may include a seatback 441, a seat 442 and a base 443. In one embodiment, the seatback 441 is disposed on one side of the bathtub 410 and the seat 442 is positioned on top of the base 443 to form a regular bathtub chair inside 440 the bathtub 410. When in use, the user sits on the seat 442 of the bathtub chair 440 and is allowed to adjust the seat 442 to a predetermined extent. The seat can gradually slide along the base 443 as shown in FIG. 4 a, and the user can stop the movement of the seat 442 according to his/her preferences. In one embodiment, the user can turn the bathtub chair 440 into a recliner to significantly enhance the comfort level during bathing. The user can also have a deeper soaking in the bathtub 410 when the bathtub chair 440 becomes a recliner. In another embodiment, the bathtub chair 440 can be adjusted through electrical means and in other embodiments, it can be adjusted through mechanical means.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5, 5 a to 5 c, the bathtub assembly 400 may include a control module 450 comprising a handle 451, a plurality of grooves 452, a connecting unit 453 and a shaft 454. In one embodiment, one end of the handle 451 and one end of the connecting unit 453 is connected with the shaft 454, and the shaft 454 can be buried in the base 443. As shown in FIG. 5, two grooves 452 are disposed at the surface of the base 443 and the connecting unit 453 is disposed between two grooves 452.

As can be seen in FIG. 5 a, the seat 442 has a plurality of connecting rails 4421, a connecting hole 4422 and a plurality of restricting bars 4423 disposed at the opening of the connecting hole 4422. In one embodiment, the groove 452 has an opening 4521 and an elongated receiving space 4522. The receiving space 4522 is configured to receive an elongated protruding portion 4421 a of the connecting rail 4421, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 b and 5 c.

When assembling the bathtub chair 440, the connecting unit 453 is configured to insert into the connecting hole 4422. In a further embodiment, the connecting unit 453 is ball-shaped and made by elastic materials, and when the connecting unit 453 is inserted into the connecting hole 4422 between two restricting bars 4423, the connecting unit 453 can be restricted in the connecting hole 4422 to secure the seat 442 on top of the base 443. Meanwhile, the connecting rails 4421 are engaged with the grooves 452 when the protruding portion 4421 a is received in the receiving space 4522 to further secure the seat 442.

Since the handle 451 and the connecting unit 453 are both connected with the shaft 454, when the bathtub chair 440 is in use, the user can sit on the seat 442 and simply control the handle 451 to adjust the position of the seat 442.

In still a further embodiment, the connecting unit 453 may have a geared surface 4531 and a corresponding gear unit 4424 is disposed between two connecting rails 4421 on the back surface of the seat 442. So, the position of the seat 442 can be controlled through the gear movement by the handle 451. In other embodiments as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting rails 4421 can be disposed on the sides of the seat 442.

Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bathtub assembly comprising a bathtub, a handrail, one or more draining holes, and an adjustable bathtub chair inside the bathtub, wherein the adjustable bathtub chair includes: a seatback disposed on one side in the bathtub; a seat positioned on top of a base; and a control module to adjust the seat's position on the base.
 2. The bathtub assembly of claim 1, wherein the bathtub is a walk-in bathtub.
 3. The bathtub assembly of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a handle, a plurality of grooves, a connecting unit and a shaft, wherein one end of the handle and one end of the connecting unit is connected to the shaft, and the shaft is buried in the base.
 4. The bathtub assembly of claim 3, wherein the grooves are disposed at a surface of the base and the connecting unit is disposed between the grooves.
 5. The bathtub assembly of claim 1, wherein back surface of the seat has a plurality of connecting rails having an elongated protruding portion, a connecting hole and a plurality of restricting bars disposed at an opening of the connecting hole.
 6. The bathtub assembly of claim 5, wherein when the bathtub chair is assembled, the connecting unit is configured to insert into the connecting hole through the restricting bars, and the connecting rails are engaged with the grooves when the protruding portion is received in the receiving space to secure the seat.
 7. The bathtub assembly of claim 6, wherein the connecting unit is ball-shaped and made by elastic materials.
 8. The bathtub assembly of claim 3, wherein the connecting unit has a geared surface and a corresponding gear unit is disposed on the back surface of the seat, so that the seat's position is allowed to be controlled through the gear movement by the handle.
 9. The bathtub assembly of claim 5, wherein the connecting rail is disposed at side surfaces of the seat.
 10. An adjustable bathtub chair comprising a seatback disposed on one side in the bathtub; a seat positioned on top of a base; and a control module to adjust the seat's position on the base.
 11. The adjustable bathtub chair of claim 10, wherein the control module comprises a handle, a plurality of grooves, a connecting unit and a shaft, wherein one end of the handle and one end of the connecting unit is connected to the shaft, and the shaft is buried in the base.
 12. The adjustable bathtub chair of claim 11, wherein the grooves are disposed at a surface of the base and the connecting unit is disposed between the grooves.
 13. The adjustable bathtub chair of claim 10, wherein back surface of the seat has a plurality of connecting rails having an elongated protruding portion, a connecting hole and a plurality of restricting bars disposed at an opening of the connecting hole.
 14. The adjustable bathtub chair of claim 13, wherein when the bathtub chair is assembled, the connecting unit is configured to insert into the connecting hole through the restricting bars, and the connecting rails are engaged with the grooves when the protruding portion is received in the receiving space to secure the seat.
 15. The adjustable bathtub chair of claim 14, wherein the connecting unit is ball-shaped and made by elastic materials.
 16. The adjustable bathtub chair of claim 11, wherein the connecting unit has a geared surface and a corresponding gear unit is disposed on the back surface of the seat, so that the seat's position is allowed to be controlled through the gear movement by the handle.
 17. The adjustable bathtub chair of claim 13, wherein the connecting rail is disposed at side surfaces of the seat. 